Would you like to visit the sublime Musée d'Orsay, the fascinating museum that was once a Parisian railway station? Whether you're from Paris, the Ile-de-France or just passing through, we've got all the tips you need to avoid hours of waiting, take advantage of the best deals and organize your visit to the best of your ability.
As you probably know, the Musée d'Orsay was built on the site of a former railway station, which had been erected to accommodate visitors to the1900 Universal Exhibition. The station was built by Victor Laloux and two other architects, who had to integrate the structure harmoniously into an elegant neighborhood facing the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens. Inside, the architects opted for a modern design. During the Second World War, the station became a shipping center for prisoners and a reception center for prisoners during the Liberation. In 1977, President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing decided to build a museum in the carcass of the station, but it was not until nine years later that the museum was inaugurated by President François Mitterrand.
The Musée d'Orsay boasts an impressive collection of Western art, including paintings, sculptures, photographs and decorative arts dating from the mid-19th to the early 20th century. These include famous Impressionist works such as Edouard Manet's Déjeuner sur l'herbe, Gustave Courbet's L'origine du monde and Degas' La petite danseuse de quatorze ans, as well as works by Auguste Rodin. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions on artists, artistic movements or periods in art history, as well as artistic events, round-table discussions, concerts and film screenings in its auditorium.
Must-see works
The Musée d'Orsay is open all year round, except on Mondays, May 1 and December 25. So don't bother showing up on these days - you'll be disappointed. The museum opens every day (except Mondays) from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. On Thursdays, opening hours are extended to 9:45pm, when you can take advantage of a reduced rate of €12 from 6:00pm.
An evening with the Impressionists: we tried out the virtual reality experience at the Musée d'Orsay
Un soir avec les impressionnistes - Paris 1874 is the virtual reality experience offered by the Musée d'Orsay from March 26 to August 11, 2024, to mark the 150th anniversary of the first Impressionist exhibition. Relive this very first exhibition in Nadar's studio, meet legendary artists such as Monet and Renoir, and immerse yourself in 19th-century Paris. We've tried it, we'll tell you! [Read more]Paris 1874, inventing Impressionism: our photos from the Musée d'Orsay's major exhibition
In 1874, the first Impressionist exhibition was held in Paris. The Musée d'Orsay looks back at this innovative art and its great masters, in a new exhibition on view from March 26 to July 14, 2024. We went along for the ride... [Read more]Curieuse nocturne impressionniste: the Musée d'Orsay's festive and artistic evening
Get out the candles, the Musée d'Orsay is celebrating a very special anniversary! To mark the 150th anniversary of Impressionism, and in parallel with the dedicated exhibition, the museum is organizing a Curieuse nocturne on May 16, 2024. [Read more]Easter vacations 2024 at the Musée d'Orsay: family activities, storytelling and workshops
This year's Easter vacations are packed with museum activities: guided tours, workshops, events... there's plenty to keep young and old busy during these two weeks without school, with the Vacances au musée program offered by the Musée d'Orsay. [Read more]Waacking battle at the Musée d'Orsay: a flamboyant show not to be missed
Get out your diaries, here's a date you won't want to miss: on April 28, 2024 at 1pm, the Musée d'Orsay is organizing a waacking battle, with artist Josépha Madoki. [Read more]The Origin of the World: why is Courbet's painting disappearing from the Musée d'Orsay this month?
From November 2023, it will no longer be possible to see Gustave Courbet's famous painting at the Musée d'Orsay. "L'Origine du monde", which has been exhibited there since 1995, is temporarily on loan to the Centre Pompidou-Metz, for an exhibition dedicated to Jacques Lacan, the painting's last owner. [Read more]Animal Crossing New Horizons: where to see the paintings and sculptures in the game?
Art or video game lovers, head to the museums of Paris, in search of the works sold by Rounard in Animal Crossing New Horizons, the Nintendo game. [Read more]Van Gogh : where to see the painter's works in Paris or in the Ile-de-France region ?
His tragic story is as famous as his exceptional paintings: Vincent Van Gogh is the favorite painter of many art lovers! To see his works in Paris or in the Ile-de-France, follow the guide. [Read more]Henri Matisse in Paris: where to see the works of the painter in the capital?
Precursor of fauvism, impressionist, modern artist... Henri Matisse has left a lasting impression on the art world. What if we (re)discovered his works thanks to the Parisian museums? [Read more]Claude Monet : where to see the works of the famous impressionist painter in Paris ?
He is undoubtedly one of the most appreciated French painters: Claude Monet has left us many magnificent paintings, some of which can be discovered in Parisian museums. [Read more]
Location
Musée d'Orsay
62 rue de Lille
75007 Paris 7
Prices
1er dimanche du mois: Free
- 18 ans : Free
- 25 ans UE: Free
Audioguide enfant et adulte: €3.5 - €6
Nocturne: €12
Tarif adulte accompagnant un enfant -18 ans: €13
Plein tarif collection permanente : €16
Recommended age
For all
Official website
www.musee-orsay.fr
More information
Closed Mondays, May 1 and December 25 Sunday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm Tuesday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm Wednesday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm Thursday 9:30 am - 9:45 pm Friday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm Saturday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm